In 2016, 552 people were reported hurt and 25 killed. In 2017, 450 people were reported hurt and 28 killed. As of late August 2018, 319 people were reported hurt with 15 killed.

WMC5 Investigators plotted the data on a heat map, which showed the largest concentration of pedestrian crashes are in midtown and downtown.

“We do have a high number of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries on an annual basis,” said Nicholas Oyler, Bikeway and Pedestrian Program Manager with the city of Memphis.

He said the concerns are on the city’s radar.

“A lot of times, it’s a design issue. Absolutely pedestrians should cross in the crosswalk, but if the nearest crosswalk is a quarter-mile, a half-mile down the street, what would you do,” Oyler said.

Analyses of the city’s pedestrian crashes and safety upgrades are outlined in a 2015 action plan. The report identifies 20 pilot projects, first steps for the city to improve safety.

Now, three years later in 2018, funding has only been secured for a little more than half of them. That includes a half-mile stretch along Union Avenue set to be shrunk to two lanes in each direction, with bike lanes.

It also includes signal and crosswalk upgrades to Lamar and South Bellevue.

Pedestrian improvements for Poplar Avenue at the central library were later added to the list.

“These 20 locations represent locations we know are hotspots from a safety perspective, but they also have the opportunity to demonstrate all kinds of improvements and show the citizens more of what’s to come,” Oyler said.

The stretch of Elvis Presley is not on the list. That means for the foreseeable future, Deandra Marrero and other residents in the area will be taking their chances.

“There should be more crosswalks,” she said.

Copyright 2018 WMC. All rights reserved.

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Kendall Downing grew up watching WMC Action News 5 from his hometown in Tipton County. After spending several years reporting in Indiana and Kentucky, he made his way back to the Mid-South. Watch him weekdays at 5 and 6 p.m.